Colombia - Settling in Colombia
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Colombia

Americas

Colombia has become a flagship destination for digital nomads, especially thanks to Medellín, nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring. The 2-year digital nomad visa is one of the most accessible in Latin America. While Colombian taxation is not the most favourable, the extremely low cost of living and pleasant lifestyle compensate. The expat community is very active, with strong English-speaking presence in El Poblado.

Top income bracket
39%
Corporate tax
35%
Capital gains
15%
Cost of living
600 €/mois
FR treaty
Yes
Last verification: January 15, 2025

Taxation

Income tax brackets

BracketRate
0 € 1 090 €0 %
1 090 € 1 700 €19 %
1 700 € 4 100 €28 %
4 100 € 8 670 €33 %
8 670 € 18 970 €35 %
18 970 € 31 000 €37 %
31 000 € unlimited39 %

Corporate tax

35 %

Capital gains

15 %

VAT

0 %

Tax treaty with France
Territorial taxation
Wealth tax

Visa options

Visa Digital Nomad (V-Nómada Digital)

digital-nomad

Duration: 2 ans

Cost: 52 USD (~48 EUR)

Requirements: Revenu mensuel minimum de 3 salaires minimums colombiens (~3 500 000 COP, soit ~800 EUR). Contrat de travail à distance ou activité freelance avec clients hors Colombie.

Visa M - Entrepreneur

entrepreneur

Duration: 3 ans renouvelable

Cost: 52 USD (~48 EUR)

Requirements: Création d'une société colombienne avec un capital d'au moins 100 salaires minimums (~100 000 000 COP, ~23 000 EUR).

Visa M - Investisseur

investor

Duration: 3 ans renouvelable, résidence permanente apres 5 ans

Cost: 52 USD (~48 EUR)

Requirements: Investissement immobilier ou d'entreprise d'au moins 350 salaires minimums (~350 000 000 COP, ~80 000 EUR).

Living in Colombie

Popular locations among expatriates

Cartagena, vieille ville
Cartagena, vieille ville
Medellin, quartier El Poblado
Medellin, quartier El Poblado
Bogota
Bogota

Cost of living

Comparison with the French average (vertical line)

Currency : Peso colombien (COP)Exchange rate : 1 COP = 0.000200

Single person

Monthly budget600 €/month
Difference / France-350 €/month

Couple

Monthly budget1 000 €/month
Difference / France-520 €/month

City center rent

1-bedroom apartment400 €/month
Difference / France-450 €/month

Outside city center rent

1-bedroom apartment250 €/month
Difference / France-400 €/month

Colombia offers an extremely low cost of living. A single person can live very comfortably in Medellín or Bogotá on £500/month excluding rent. Rents are among the most affordable in Latin America. Food, transport, and leisure cost a fraction of European prices.

Settling in Colombie

Practical indicators to prepare your relocation

Safety & stability

Safety4/10
Political stability4/10
Healthcare system69/100
Corruption index40/100
Democracy index6.72/10
Government typeRépublique présidentielle

Procedures

Residence permit3 months
Bank accountModerate
Public healthcareAccessible
Health insurance40 €/months

Start a business

Setup time11 days
Ease of business#67 worldwide
Effective corp. tax35%

The Colombian digital nomad visa is one of the most accessible in Latin America (only £700/month income required). Medellín is the flagship destination thanks to its permanent spring climate and very active digital nomad scene (El Poblado neighbourhood). Spanish is essential for daily life, though English is increasingly spoken in expat hubs. Safety has improved considerably but some neighbourhoods should still be avoided.

The Colombian health system (EPS) is considered one of the best in Latin America. Private clinics in Medellín and Bogotá are of very good quality and far cheaper than in Europe. Colombia is a recognised medical tourism destination. Local private insurance costs £25-50/month and grants access to excellent facilities.

Quality of life

Medellín offers a permanent spring climate (22-28°C year-round) and a dynamic cultural scene. Bogotá is a cosmopolitan capital with rich cultural offerings. Colombia features varied landscapes: Caribbean Sea, Andean mountains, Amazon forest. Safety has improved considerably, although some areas should still be avoided.

24°C
Avg. temperature
40 Mbps
Internet
UTC-6h
vs Paris
Espagnol
Language(s)

Pros and cons

Advantages

  • Extremely low cost of living with good quality of life
  • Very accessible 2-year digital nomad visa
  • Pleasant year-round climate (Medellín)
  • Very active digital nomad community

Disadvantages

  • Heavy taxation for residents (up to 39% + wealth tax)
  • CIT among highest in Latin America (35%)
  • Variable safety by neighbourhood and region
  • Time difference of -6h with the UK

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Sources

Verified on January 15, 2025

All data on this page comes from public and institutional sources.

FAQ

What is the tax rate in Colombia?

The top marginal income tax rate in Colombia is 39%. The corporate tax rate is 35%.

What is the cost of living in Colombia?

The monthly cost of living for a single person in Colombia is approximately 600 EUR (excluding rent). City center rent costs around 400 EUR per month.

Is there a tax treaty between the United Kingdom and Colombia?

Check HMRC for the current status of the tax treaty between the United Kingdom and Colombia.

These results are estimates.

The data presented are estimates and do not constitute tax advice. Consult a professional for your personal situation.